Game 13 Preview and Open Thread: Ottawa Senators versus New York Islanders

If Travis Green wants to distinguish himself from his predecessors, he has a great opportunity to do so tonight. The Ottawa Senators probably need to break their old habits of losing in November and losing consecutive games early in the season. Well, the Sens play at home tonight and they play against a team with even more injuries, so how about we go ahead and right the ship, gang? Tuesday's listless loss aside, and regardless of who starts in the crease for Ottawa, the Sens have a very winnable game in front of them. That being said, it looks like Travis Green is going for the hotter goalie of late (or playing the backup against a weak opponent). Here are tonight's project lines:

Game Notes:

• The Islanders also played on Tuesday, defeating the Penguins in the shootout 4-3 on Long Island.
• True to their reputation, the Isles still get pretty good goaltending (particularly at five-on-five) and Ottawa probably has a narrow margin of error to that effect. The Sens have played some good five-on-five hockey lately, the Islanders have had even better by five-on-five rates so don't screw around out there.
• Last year the Islanders won the first two matchups and Ottawa won game three in extra innings. Ottawa didn't lose the season series badly by any means (-2 goal differential) but also I need to stop making excuses for this team. Just win baby.
• I don't know what to expect in terms of special teams. Despite their goaltending talent, the Islanders have had atrocious luck on the penalty kill. The Sens have had absurd luck on the powerplay--what does it all mean? I wouldn't write home about the Isles' powerplay or Ottawa's penalty kill. Watch this turn into another 15-goal game like Los Angeles.
• Injuries of note for Ottawa: Shane Pinto and Artem Zub; and for New York, Mathew Barzal, Anthony Duclair, Adam Pelech, Mike Reilly, and Alex Romanov.

Where/when to watch/listen: TSN5, RDS, TSN1200 @ 7PM EST

New York Islanders lines from last game:

Stats